Saudi Arabia denies reports of launching world's richest cricket league

Saudi Arabia has dismissed reports about launching the world's richest cricket league that would have competed with the allure of the high profile Indian Premier League (IPL). Prince Saud bin Mishaal Al Saud, chairman of the Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation (SACF), clarified that the reports are incorrect, firmly stating that the Kingdom has no plans to start such a league.

"That is not correct," the Saudi Arabian prince said while speaking to a few Indian reporters on the sidelines of the IPL auction in Jeddah. He also categorically denied any possibility of Saudi Arabia investing in the IPL, the world's richest cricket league and one of the biggest tournaments in global sports. "That is not true as well," he added

Reports had claimed that the Saudi government and its wealthy Sheikhs, backed by the country's massive oil wealth, were planning to launch a cricket league featuring international players. The Saudi Riyals are already in a disruptive mode in global sport, having created waves through investments in rebel LIV Golf Tour. The Kingdom also had made serious inroads into football.

Launching a high-profile cricket league would not be possible, especially due to a recent rule introduced by the International Cricket Council (ICC) that limits the number of foreign players in any franchise-based team. While the UAE's ILT20 is an exception which fields more than four overseas players, this rule was implemented after the league's launch, restricting new leagues from adopting similar models.

At its AGM in Bengaluru in September, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) passed a resolution to prevent private investment in the board or its leagues. While the BCCI did not elaborate on the need for such a resolution, it is believed to be a preemptive measure to block potential future investments from Saudi companies in its properties.

Saudi Arabian companies such as Aramco and Saudi Tourism, have already left a mark in cricket for several years. Aramco, the Saudi oil giant, is a sponsor of ICC events and has even participated in the IPL as an associate sponsor. Similarly, Saudi Tourism established an association with the IPL a couple of years ago.

Mishaal Al Saud, however, did not rule out the possibility of hosting a few matches of the IPL in the Kingdom in near future. "Why not," he asked and said the SACF will engage in discussions with the BCCI and the Saudi Government.

The Saudi prince, however, said cricket will take off in the desert in a big way and top class stadiums will come up soon, particularly here in Jeddah. "The IPL auction is a major first step. It will help us fasttrack some of our plans. Hosting it would not have been possible without the big support from the Saudi Government and Mr. Jay Shah (the BCCI secretary)."

He also dwelt upon the SACF's plans to create infrastructure in the country. "An international standard stadium will be built here in Jeddah," he said and indicated that the stadium would be ready by next year.